Unbound-Chapter Eight Hundred And Eighty Six: 886

The night was balmy and loud, with the sound of insects chirping across the velvet skies as if nothing in the world was different. Felix knew otherwise. His Body had recovered from the fight with the gods, and so had his Mind, but his thoughts could not quite escape what he’d witnessed.

There, on the balcony atop the Bastion of Atlantes, Felix sought comfort in the sussurant sonata of a summer evening, cut generously with the murmur of voices assembling in the Hall of Songs just below. He ran his fingers over the Chalice strapped to his hip. The lip of the cup was by turns faceted and smooth, sharp and then rounded. It changed with every heartbeat, the nature of it unsettled, chaotic.

It had been four days since he'd found the Chalice. Four days in which he'd prepped and gathered and done everything he could to be ready. Three more days remained until the binding cooldown ended.

It was too long.

The attack on Elderthrone and his brief glimpse into Amaranth made it clear that the gods were not idle. The Unbound might have been safe for the moment, but how long would that last? They would catch the Lizard. It was inevitable.

For the fiftieth time, Felix replayed the conversations he'd had with the gods. Every word was recalled perfectly, even as it drove him to grind his teeth together, yet nothing of what they said revealed a plan. They taunted, pressing him for something he couldn’t pin down. Noctis and Yyero both spoke of the Bonds of Fellowship and his Links to his friends. They seemed delighted by them, and had tried to disrupt his efforts to hold Fiendforge. Was that just to stop his friends from weaving their Pillars? How would they have known? Moreover, why would they have cared? A few more Master Tiers wouldn’t make a difference in the fight against unchained gods.

Unchained. The word loomed large in his Mind. They had the Chthonic Star, but their chains remained. That could only mean they were unable to break them…or were waiting for something.

What was their plan?

Felix cast his attention inward for a brief moment, dropping down to the roots of his Divine Tree to check on the skull fragment that clung above his abyss. He tapped it with his Intent.

Absorbing The Skull Fragment Of Veridaan.

Progress: 12%

Felix opened his real eyes as the chorus of night resumed around him. The absorption had only advanced a single percent when he'd first found the fragment within himself. Yet after his talk with the Dread, it had leapt up by ten whole points.

“You better be right about this,” he muttered.

The Dread had told him a great many things, most of which he wasn't sure he believed. It was clear, however, that there was more than a little truth in its words—and that was terrifying.

"Felix?" Karys' voice lifted up the steps behind him. "They're ready for you."

"On my way."

The Dread’s words could wait.

He had a war to start.

Felix settled into his Chimera-carved chair, with Pit sprawled behind him in his immense size. A circular table spread out before them, filled with the accumulation of leadership across all of his Territories and allies. He briefly glanced around the room, taking stock of who had answered his summons.

Battlelord Ari was there, of course, as was Chancellor Kimaris of Khalheim. They sat more than twice the size of the largest of their allies, their blue skin and white hair stark against the features of the rest. Karys had provided them both with custom-built chairs, modified for their immense stature. Kimaris smirked at Felix across the wide table, raising her goblet.

Zara and Mauvim sat alongside a handful of their Chanters. The latter leaned against the table, her face quietly considering everyone else, save for when one of her Chanters whispered something in her ear. Zara meanwhile chatted animatedly with Harn and Evie, while Vess, Beef, and Atar shared a drink. Alister and Elowen laughed at something Archie said, while the thief himself looked inordinately proud. Yin and Hollow were there too, though they were set back from the rest as they were too large to fit at the massive table.

Darius Reed sat just beyond his friends, representing the Legion at the Chorus. Standing attention beind him were the Firsts of Fist, Blade, Arclight, and Bone. They were silent and steady, eyes scanning the room constantly for threats.

Chancellor Klzix—representing the Yttin and Ahkestria—gestured for Darius to eat with him. The wrapped legs on the slender Yttin’s back wriggled in delight as the commander took a leg of some sort of fowl and bit into it. Lavix was beside them, representing the Deepking and Nagafolk, and she had two handfuls of some sort of fish. She laughed at a joke Yin muttered, nearly falling out of her chair. If Chancellor Dayne of Pax’Vrell and the Dragoons was uncomfortable next to the giant snake, he hid it well, merely sipping his tea as conversation flitted around him.

Chancellor Lavin of Gharion sat stiffly in her chair next to the old Dragoon, her face serious and her armor travel-stained, showing signs of wear that made Felix certain she took it off about as often as Harn did. She spoke to no one, though she glanced at Dayne more than a few times. The Farwalker and A’zek represented the Henaari of course, and the hooded man was trading soft comments with the elderly Elf of Levantier. Tern chuckled, his hands gesturing, and Lavin barked a laugh. She looked just as surprised as the other two, before they all dissolved into smiles.

Notably, there was not yet a Chancellor for Jaast. The jungles were too wild and scattered to have figured all of that out quite yet. None of the Lucent Tower Masters were in attendance either, though he knew they had arrived with Tern. Felix didn't particularly trust any of them enough. Tern would more than suffice for their representation.

“The Hall of Songs resonates with your voices,” Karys said. His dark hand beat against a metal plate set into the table. Instead of a wooden gavel, it rang out like a bell, slicing through idle conversation. His golden medal form was draped in a black stole of office, marked with the House Nevarre crest.

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"Let the Chorus be heard.”

Felix forced a grin. “Welcome everyone. I trust your travel through the Shadowgates wasn’t too terrible?”

“No, that little city in there was quite interesting,” Klzix said, his mandible clacking. “So wondrous and strange.”

“An impressive construction to be sure,” Tern agreed. “Though mental Skills are more versatile than reality. This Bastion, however, is quite the structure. Did you pull this from the bowels of history as well?"

Felix smiled. "No. It was a concerted effort by the community here in Elderthrone. I provided the bones, you might say. It was everyone else that made it what it is now."

"It is quite beautiful," Chancellor Dayne said, and there was a muttering of approval and agreement amongst the table.

"Beautiful," Felix echoed, casting his glance upward at the vaulted ceilings, Mana crystal chandelier, and ornate windows. "Yeah, it is that. The Bastion of Atlantes is a perfect example of what we can do together, if we try. I’ve gotten nowhere in this world without my friends and allies."

“We didn’t kill a god, my Lord,” Lavix pointed out. “We didn’t make you an emperor, either.”

“That’s not true.” Felix shifted in his chair, all too aware that it looked very much like a throne. "I united the Territories, I defeated our enemies, and time after time, I restored what was once Lost. But like this Bastion, I didn’t build this empire alone, and I cannot lead it that way either. All of you are what makes this empire work. Without the people, I am nothing more than a tyrant."

He bared his teeth. "And you know what we do to them."

A sharp cheer went around the table, their Spirits lifting like bloody blades.

“Our first order of business here is an update," Felix began, spreading his hands. "I'm sure you're all wondering about the gods and their armies."

"To say the least," Kimaris interjected, "I wish they would return so that my armies can bathe in their rotten blood."

"You'll have your chance," Felix assured her. "I've seen Amaranth. Their streets are overflowing with the same minions we face today. And worse."

"You've seen Amaranth?" Dayne asked, folding his thick arms across his powerful chest, crinkling his soft, silken shirt. "How?"

"The Vessels escaped through a rift after our battle. I followed."

"You went to Amaranth? How were you not captured?"

"It's complicated. I followed, but I didn't go the whole way, and then I was kicked out." Felix tried not to adjust his posture as phantom pain echoed down his spine. "But I saw enough."

"What is your assessment of their defense?" The Farwalker asked. "Can we reach our objectives?"

"No." Fear shivered through the Chorus, but Felix didn’t care. They all had to know the risks. To accept them. Otherwise, this entire effort was pointless. "We won't be able to do it with the plan as we've discussed. All of you have received my preliminary orders, but in order to survive what I've seen in Amaranth, those have to change. In fact, they already are." Felix leveled his gaze on Chancellors and leaders alike. "The only way to keep another attack from happening is to move. Tonight."

"Tonight?" Mauvim looked aghast at her Chanters. "So soon? So many of us are still preparing."

"Prepare faster," Felix commanded.

"We cannot protect Elderthrone even if we fill it with an army. The gods will only return, stronger than before," Darius added. "Now even our sea-bound protector is gone."

"I noticed that wave had gone away." Evie scratched her jaw. "Where's the big squid?"

"Like Darius said, Elderthrone is vulnerable," Felix leaned back, forcing himself not to drum his fingers nervously. "The Dread protected us during the attack, but that protection has ended."

Vess looked to him, concern painting her Spirit. "Is it dead? Did you..."

"No. Still, when we leave here, we're leaving the city undefended."

"We don't have a choice," Darius rumbled. "We can't win against the Hierophant if we leave anything in reserve.”

“Aye,” Harn echoed. “There’s nothin’ to be done save attack with all we got.”

Concerned murmurs broke out among the table.

“The commanders are right. All of you must know that." Felix looked across the circular table, meeting everyone's eyes. "We can hold nothing back in this assault. And when we leave, we do so with the knowledge that we might not be coming back."

"Hey," Evie interjected, banging her fist on the table. "We're in this fight."

"Until the end," Beef agreed with a nod. Hallow lifted a crystalline fist, and Harn grinned.

"What the brute said," Alister added, and Alister gave a short cheer.

Archie just looked nauseous.

"Very good," Felix said, fighting down a grin. He saw agreement across every single face at his table. "We’ll be leaving tonight. Forces have already mustered here, and the Chancellors Klzix and Lavin have both informed me that our people are nearly ready in Gharion."

"Why do we head to Gharion?" Battlelord Ari asked, his twenty-five foot tall body nearly as out of place as Pit's furry bulk. "Why not take the Shadowgate directly to the enemy?"

"There is a Shadowgate in Amaranth," Karys answered, just as they had arranged. "We have identified it, and the way is cleared, thanks to Emperor Nevarre's efforts. But the gods know of the Shadowgates now. Already, Yyero tried to infiltrate through Jaast. We cannot risk opening the one in Amaranth, otherwise we put every life here in jeopardy."

Lavin cleared her throat. "My people are marshalling in the capital, and the Deepking has already sent the majority of his forces north. We are ready, my lord."

"He's left a token force in Haestus Temple," Lavix added, adjusting her scaly body atop her own custom-made seat. "Garox is prepared for our arrival in Haestus.”

“How are we all fittin’ through the gate?” Harn asked. “That place is underwater, not to mention tight as a merchant’s purse."

"It is," Lavix agreed, "but the Deepking has already proffered a solution.”

The former Knight Commander smirked. "He calls it his penance for betraying the Returned God. He will agree to anything you ask of him."

A few people at the table exchanged curious glances, but Felix ignored them. Instead, he nodded at Tern, who was frowning. "You have something to add, Chancellor?"

"How has the plan for assault changed? I will admit the attack on your capital has shaken some of my people. They’ll want reassurances.”

"Tell them to pull on their big boy pants," Pit growled. "It's time to bring the pain."

A’zek and Yin roared in agreement.

"I’ll address all of your fears right here and now. In a glass, however, we’ll begin transfer to Gharion. From there, we’ll proceed with the assault as originally planned," Felix nodded to Tern, his smile wide. "Except for a few…minor adjustments."

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